Oleshky ceasefire begins early for aid and evacuations

A localized ceasefire around Oleshky took effect on October 27, with Ukrainian officials saying both sides were observing the pause intended to enable humanitarian aid and civilian evacuations. The truce began two days before the October 29 start date announced by the White House. Ukraine’s human rights commissioner, Dmytro Lubinets, said Kyiv was honoring its commitments. Pavlo Drohal, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s Marine Corps, said Russian forces were observing the ceasefire as of 9 a.m. Kyiv time and that Ukrainian Marines were monitoring the situation. The Russian Defense Ministry said it stopped shelling toward Kherson from 4 a.m. Moscow time to prepare for the humanitarian operation. The ceasefire was arranged with the involvement of U.S. first lady Melania Trump and is focused on Oleshky, a town in the Russian-controlled part of Ukraine’s Kherson region. The White House said civilian representatives from Russia and Ukraine would assess residents’ needs and coordinate the delivery of supplies and transport for people who choose to leave. Residents are to be able to select a destination, including Ukraine or Russia, according to the White House. The pause is intended to...